Domestic appliance



Wm Y

Oct. 6, 1959 c. F. ABREscH 2,907,470

v DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Filed June 29, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 F /g. 3 W JNVENTUR.

f Care/ E Abresch mw |25 F lg. 8

' His Attorney DMESTIC APPLIANCE Cai-el.` F. Abresch, Dayton, Ohio, assigner to G eneral Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application` June 29, 1954, Serial No. 440,090 Claims. (Cl. 211-126) vvide a very flexible and yet very ecient and accurate holding arrangement which will accommodate all the varieties. lt is also desirable to hold the maximum quantity .of all `diierent sorts of combinations and varieties of dishes and kitchenware in such a way that none blocks the cleansing stream from ano-ther and all are held in suchwa way as `todrain adequately without trapping any liquid. .@It isan object of my invention to provide a dish rack witha very exible holding arrangement so that it may hold in satisfactory positions for washing and rinsing-al1 sor'tsand varities of kitchenarticles in maximum quantities. l l

` It is. another object off myrinvention to provide a dish rack `with ingenious movable sub-racks to increase the qilantity and variety of articles which can be properly held inA the rack for washing and rinsing.

"These and other objects are attained in the form shown byproviding a` rectangular rack of wire bars.` This rack incltides a center group of horizontal bars which are humped over ahorizontal spray tube of thecharacter disclosedin U .S. application Ser. No. 262,226, tiled Dedeiriber 181951, which issued February '14, 1956 as Patent 2,734,520, to which reference is made in accordance with the provisions of Rule 7S(a)`. On either side o f `this center hump is a low point or recess within which.

may be placed cups or *similar articles. Upon opposite sides of this hump and the twodepressed portions there isa raised flat portionadapted to support the rims 0f glasses and tumblers. At both sides there is provided a States Patent 1i rangement of the rack and sub-racks for washing pans and cups;

Figure 3 is an end View partly in section of an arrangement of the rack and sub-racks for' washing both` cups and tumblers; v

Figure 4 is a side view of the rack and sub-racks as shown in Figure l;

Figure 5 is an end view partly in section of the rack and sub-racks as arranged for washing the maximum quantity of cups;

Figure 6 is an end view partly in section showing the rack and sub-racks as arranged for washing a large pan;

Figure 7 is an end view partly in section of a modied form in which two upper sub-racks are used;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary View showing one of the horizontal bars provided with small irregularities for presenting a resistance to lateral movement;

, Figure 9 is a top view of the rack similar to Figure l but without any of the sub-racks;

1 Figure l() is a top view of one of the sub-racks; and

p Figure ll is a plan view of one of the pivoted subracks located at the side of the main rack.

loosely `pivoted sub-rack which is inclined downwardly" i toward the center for supporting the closed ends of glasses and tumblers and which may be placed overa row `of cupsv `but may also be folded against the side to permit the accommodation of large pots and pans. In addition to' this, the rack has provisions for supporting at a higher level oneor two movable sub-racks arranged with a center hump portion flanked by valleys on the other side' and a higher horizontal bar on the extreme outer sides` sothat it may supporte-ups facing either inwardly or outwardly. This upper sub-rack may be placed in a number of lateral positions for extreme Hexibility. designed for holding cups and similar objects.

Further objects and advantages of the present inven tion will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a' "preferred form of the invention is clearly shown.

*In the drawings:

*Figure 1 is a top View of my improved rack and subracks in one of their positions;

It is primarily Referring now more particularly to Figure 9, the main rack 20 is provided with a relatively heavy perimeter bar 22 extending substantially entirely around. the periphery thereof. lt includesvertical portions 24 and 26 on opposite sides including a horizontal portion at the top edges and three bars 2S, 30 and 32 beneath. The gen-I erally horizontal bottom portion 34 supports a central horizontal bar 36 which is anked by two slightly lower bars 38. Below and more widely separated than the horizontal bars 38 port the ends of these bars, the center portion of the front portion 34 and the rear portion 42 are provided with a centrally located tapered hump 44 which in normal use character disclosed in and corresponding to the pipe 98 in said Patent 2,734,520. The bottoms of the hump 44 each enter into a valley 46. A horizontal bar 48 connects each of the valley portions. On the outer side of each of the valleys 46 slightly above the mid-point there is provided an additional bar 50. On the outer side of each of the valleys 46 there is provided a wide flat hump 52 each provided with three horizontal bars 54, 56 and 5S all at substantially the same level. There is also provided .a valley 60 on either side between the wide flat humpsSZ and the side portions 24 and 26. A single bar 62is provided in each of these valleys.

At the front and rear extending between the vertical sides directly above the front 34 and the rear 42 of thev .frame is supporting bar 66 having downwardly extend- -mg V projections 68 which are fastened or bonded to the.

wide at humps 52. Above this support bar are provided the transverse rails 76 and 72 which reinforce the frame.

.1 center portions of these front and rear bars or rails are provided with alternate half round and fiat rounded loops 76 and 73 for the purpose of interlocking with" downwardly extending half round loops 80 upon the subracks or racks '74 as shown for example in Figures l, 3

t and 5.

Figure 2`is `an end view partiy in section of an ar `The sub-rack 74 is provided with a 'perimeter bar 82 having a raised central portion 84 at each end provided with an upwardly extending half round loop 86 which is likewise adapted to engage or interlock with any one of On either side of the humps 84 are the deep valleys' 88 including the downwardly extending loops 80 adapted' are the horizontal bars 40. To sup-l in Figures l and 3. These deep valleys 88 have flat portions adjoining the outer sides of the loops 80 to provide a rest or support adapted to engage and be supported by the loops 76 as well as the side portions ofthe ilat rounded loops 78. The sub-rack 74 is slightly shorter than the main rack 20 as best shown in Figure l. The center humps 84 are connected by horizontal bars 90 on either side of the loops 86 at the same level as the side portions 92 and 94 of the perimeter bar `82. Between the humps S4 and the rounded projections 80 are the bars $6 provided upon the vertical portions of the perimeter bar 82 directly above the loops 8i). This bar is slightly above the horizontal bars 98 connecting the flat portions of the valleys 88. f

This sub-rack 74 iit the center bottom portion of the main rack 20, as shown in Figure 6, so that a pan 121 indicated in dot and dash outline in Figure 6 may be supported directly over it. It may be supported in the center portion of the top rails '70 and 72 as shown in Figures 3 and or it may be supported completely at one side as shown in Figures 2 and 7 in which the loops Sti engage the outer side of the flat rounded loops 7S and the side portion 92 of the perimeter bar 82 extends over the top of the side portions 24 or 26 of the perimeter bar 22. The function of the sub-rack 74 is to hold cups and cup-shaped objects. In its central position the cups are placed in the valleys with their insides turned toward each other as shown in Figures 3 Vand 5. In their side positions they support one row of cups turned away from the center of the rack but toward the origin of the spray as in Figures 2 and 7.

In Figure l1 one of the pivoted sub-racks 123 is shown. These sub-racks each include a U-shaped perimeter bar 125 which terminates at its opposite end in the elongated loops 127 which loop over the bars 23 as shown best in Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6. When these sub-racks 123 are assembled to the main rack 20, the loops 127 are turned outwardly so that the sub-rack 123 can be placed in the Vvvertical position hanging down below the main rack as shown in Figure 2. The horizontal portion 129 of the perimeter bar 125' is curled outwardly as shown in Figure 2 directly beneath the loop 127. Preferably all the horizontal bar portions of these sub-racks 123 are provided with a wavy or undulating or zigzag shape as shown in j Figure 8. However, these bars could also be formed into a helix of very small diameter. In addition to their vertical position shown in Figure 2, the subracks 123 may also be inclined toward the center as shown in Figures 3, 6 and 7 resting upon the horizontal bar 58. They are designed to support one end of a glass or tumbler upon any one of their bars while the rim of the tumbler rests against the bar 54.

This bar 54 may also have a wavy or undulating or zigzag shape like Figure 8 not only for the purpose of preventing the glasses or tumblers from rolling on the Vbars but also to Yidentify the bar against which the rim of the tumbler should rest for proper position. However, the bars 54 may be given particular identification in other manners such as by coloring or striping or other configuration. The bars 56 may also be provided with a wavy or undulating or zigzag shape and if desired all the horizontal bars may be given such a shape. Also if desired all the bars may be given a helical shape in which the bars would have a very small eccentricity from the axis of the helix. These irregularities` prevent the rolling of glasses, cups and tumblers along the horizontal bars. All of the racks and sub-racks may be coated with some suitable resilient material such as natural or synthetic rubber or vinyl material. One very suitable coating material is vinyl plastisol.

In another arrangement, shown in Figure 5, one row of cups 131 on either side may be placed in the outer valleys 60 with .their inner faces turned toward the center. The sub-racks 123 on either side rest upon the cups 131.

' The cups 131 rest upon the bars 58 and 62 which hold them in proper position. The sub-racks 123 support a second row of cups 133 which rest between the perimeter bar 125 and the adjacent connecting horizontal bar of the sub-rack 123. The opposite sides of the cups 133 rest against the adjacent portions of the perimeter bar 82 of the upper rack 74. The upper rack 74 supports a row of inwardly turned cups 135 in each of the valleys 88 of the sub-rack 74. All of the cups have their interior surfaces directed substantially toward the origin of the spray and all are turned downwardly so that the liquid will drain and will not he trapped therein. Thus in this arrangement six rows of cups may be washed cleanly at the same time. The various other figures show the more important variations and placements of cups, tumblers and pans most commonly used. However, many others are possible since all of the valleys may be used for cups. The rack is relatively simple to build and inexpensive. The different sub-racks are also simple and increase the capacity without permitting one article from blocking the spray upon another. commodated thereon and held in the proper position for satisfactory washing, rinsing and draining.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted as may come within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

l. In combination, a dish rack including spaced end portions, generally horizontal bars extending n between and connected to the end portions, some of said bars extending substantially one above the other at the sides of said end portions, other of said bars being located between the bars at the sides of said end portions, said end portions each being provided with a rail located above said other bars and having horizontal offset portions, and a movable sub-rack of a width materially less than the width of the dish rack supported at opposite ends in various lateral positions on said rails, said sub-rack also including end portions and being provided with outer and central generally horizontal bars spaced a substantial dis-' tance above said rails and additional generally horizontal bars adjcent said rails located between said outer and central bars, said bars of said sub-rack all being connected to said end portions of saidl sub-rack.

2. In combination, a dish rack including spaced end portions, bottom and side portions extending between and connected to said end portions, a movable shelf ,eX- tending along a side portion between said end portions and having a lost motion pivotal connection with an upper part of said side portion, said shelf being widey enough to have an edge resting upon the bottom of said rack and inclined upwardly to the upper part of said side portion in one position and having a second downwardly extending position substantially in contact with and parallel to said side portions, said rack having an open slot extending between said end portions in its bottom portion adjacent the side portion having the movable shelf, said,

slot being suflciently'long and wide to receive said shelf when said shelf is vertical.

3. In combination, a dish rack including opposite end portions and a plurality of spaced generally horizontal bars extending between and connected to the end portions,

a sub-rack substantially narrower than said dish rack.

spanning said opposite end portions and having opposite end portions and a plurality of spaced generally horizontal bars connected to said last-mentioned opposite end portions and extending substantially parallel to the horizontal bars of said rack between its opposite end portions, said first and second mentioned opposite end vportions having interengaging supporting means for sup porting said sub-rack upon said dish rack, said first men-` tioned end portions having additional supporting means in different lateral locations for supporting said sub-rack in different lateral positions relative to the dish rack.

Almost any article can be acj i, la

4. In combination, a dish rack including opposite end portions, a series of generally horizontal bars extending between and connected to said end portions forming a dish supporting structure, said bars including a substantially centrally located bar and two groups arranged in the general shape of a trough extending between the end portions on opposite sides of and below the centrally located bar capable of supporting two rows of cups in inclined inverted positions, said bars also including two groups arranged as raised platforms at the outer sides of and above said trough shaped groups, said rack having open slots extending substantially from end to end between the bars, side members located on the outer sides of and extending upwardly above the raised platform groups and extending between and connecting with the opposite end'portions, and a shelf extending between said opposite end portions pivotally connected adjacent one edge to an upper portion of one of the side members, said shelf being of such width that the side opposite the pivoted edge rests upon one of the bars of the adjacent raised platform group and being capable of supporting a row of tumblers in inclined inverted position.

5. In combination, a dish rack including opposite end portions and a plurality of spaced generally straight horizontal bars extending between and connected to the end portions, a laterally movable narrow sub-rack having opposite end portions and a plurality of spaced generally straight horizontal bars extending between and connected to its opposite end portions and being of much less width than said dish rack, the horizontal bars near the center of said sub-rack being grouped substantially into two inclined intersecting planes having a horizontal straight line of intersection above and parallel to the grouped bars, the horizontal bars on the sides of said sub-rack being grouped substantially into outwardly and upwardly inclined planes intersecting the rst mentioned planes on horizontal straight lines beneath and substantially pan allel to the line of intersection of the intersecting planes,

all of said planes being arranged in the form of a Wv in cross-section, the different groups of bars cooperating to be capable of supporting two rows of inclined inverted cups, said opposite end portions of said dish rack and sub-rack having interengaging supporting means effective in diierent lateral positions for supporting the sub-rack in different lateral positions upon the dish rack.

References `Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 936,725 Insinger Oct. 19, 1909 1,270,631 Lewis June 25, 1918 1,279,071 Andrews Sept. 17, 1918 1,421,705 Melish July 4, 1922 1,493,948 Apple May 13, 1924 1,760,307 Kauffmann May 27, 1930 1,834,951 Jarvis Dec. 8, 1931 1,902,237 Hilpert et al. Mar. 21, 1933 2,035,625 Walker Mar. 31, 1936 2,095,685 Zlotziver Oct. 12, 1937 2,123,837 Thomas et al July 12, 1938 2,151,068 Atlas Mar. 21, 1939 2,293,893 Faulkner Aug. 25, 1942 2,433,823 Lindeblad Dec. 30, 1947 2,554,232 Young May v22, 1951 

